CLEVELAND, Ohio — Kenny Pickett is the classic quarterback that you can win with, but not necessarily because of. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound 2021 Heisman Trophy finalist finished his senior season at Pittsburgh with over 4,000 yards passing and 42 touchdowns.
The question surrounding Pickett was would he ascend into stardom or was he just a one-year wonder under the pass-happy Pittsburgh offensive coordinator, Mark Whipple. The Steelers thought he would be a star, replace the legendary Ben Roethlisberger and keep Pittsburgh in the top tier of NFL teams.
That never came to fruition for either the Steelers or Pickett. In two seasons with Pittsburgh, Pickett threw for 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
Last season, he was then traded to Philadelphia to backup Eagles star Jalen Hurts and earned himself a Super Bowl ring.
What went wrong with the Steelers
Quarterbacks, at all levels, get way too much credit for a team’s success and way too much blame for a team’s failures. This would most definitely be the case for Pickett in Pittsburgh.
He was not always great, but he was not the only issue. On film, Matt Canada’s offense struggled with spacing in the pass game and inconsistency in the run game.
Below is a look at an example of poor spacing under Canada coupled with a poor decision from Pickett that resulted in an interception.
Not being able to stretch the field both vertically and horizontally with three, four and even five skill players on a particular play is problematic.
The spacing issue, combined with the elite speed and athleticism of linebackers and defensive backs, makes passing much more difficult. Defenders can cover ground quickly, closing down windows that once might have been open for a split second, which makes it harder for quarterbacks to fit the ball in.
Receivers also face tighter coverage, and their routes must be more precise. Pickett also struggled with sliding within the pocket when there were actual opportunities in the pass game.
Below is a missed opportunity from Pickett. He will need to improve his pocket awareness and footwork within the pocket as he resumes his career in Cleveland.
Similar to the Browns last season, consistently failing to run the ball effectively on first down put Pickett and the Steelers in long yardage situations. This allowed defenses to be creative with their blitzes and coverages, knowing that Pickett had to throw.
However, Pickett, at times, did not help his offensive line with simple pocket movement that would have allowed him to see the field better.
Why does Kevin Stefanski think he can get the most out of Pickett?
Stefanski has always had great success with quarterbacks who play well within his system.
For me, Stefanski’s pass schemes are more about play design against specific defenses as compared to designing plays for specific players. Simply put, Stefanski wants his quarterbacks to process what the defense is doing and take what is open, regardless of who the receiver may be.
Below is a look at the Browns using one of their many levels concepts off play action. This staple of Stefanski’s offense is designed to stretch the defense horizontally and create multiple options for the quarterback.
Kenny Pickett film review
Lance Reisland, special to cleveland.com
By selling a counter run to the left, the offense forces defenders to bite on the play-action fake, opening up passing lanes.
Kenny Pickett film review
Lance Reisland, special to cleveland.com
David Njoku’s block-and-release to the first level provides a quick, easy option for the quarterback, while Jordan Akins’ drag route across the formation creates separation at the second level, giving the QB another reliable checkdown.
Donovan Peoples-Jones runs a deep comeback route for the third level, stretching the defense and pulling coverage deep, which allows for even more space underneath.
Kenny Pickett film review 3
Lance Reisland, special to cleveland.com
The beauty of this system is its progression: the quarterback always has a clear read, moving from simple, short throws to deeper, more challenging passes, depending on how the defense reacts.
The philosophy ties into a quarterback you can “win with” but not necessarily “because of.” Stefanski wants to rely on a strong run game with play action, especially on early downs. The Browns play caller wants to get into 12 and 13 personnel and dictate what defensive personnel is in the game.
If a defensive coordinator wants to play three linebackers against the heavy tight end looks, Stefanski can create mismatches with his athletic tight ends against linebackers. If the defense wants to play more defensive backs, Stefanski can use the power run game against the smaller pass defenders.
Pickett is big and athletic, he can throw from different launch points, he is smart and can find advantageous matchups, and he has enough arm strength to stretch the field both horizontally and vertically. Stefanski sees a guy who can thrive in his scheme.
Below is a great look at a few clips of Pickett finding matchups against linebackers for easy completions.
What we learned
For Kenny Pickett to succeed as the Browns’ quarterback, he would need to work well within Kevin Stefanski’s system, relying heavily on play-action and a strong run game.
By using play-action to create passing lanes, Pickett can make quick, decisive throws to his receivers, especially in the short-to-medium range. Building chemistry with key targets like Jerry Jeudy and tight ends David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr. will help him take advantage of mismatches.
Additionally, protecting the ball and minimizing turnovers would be crucial, to protect the elite Browns defense. Ending every drive with a kick (punt, field goal, or extra point) will eliminate short fields against Jim Schwartz’s defensive crew.
Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.